Each day, during the winter months, I look out my window around two or three o’clock in the afternoon and notice how the sun is already setting. By six o’clock, nighttime will have fallen. Between the months of November to February, the days are shorter than usual due to the winter time change. These shorter days bring about more hours of darkness, but for some people, they cause changes to their daily life. Seasonal Affective Disorder, S.A.D, impacts many people by taking away their energy, and affecting their moods. S.A.D affects millions of people throughout the world and can be treated with light therapy. It is also just one of the many ways the winter days can influence people’s attitudes. The good news is there are ways to help a person make the most out of the gloomy winter days. Whenever you are feeling blue again and find yourself wishing for summer, try one of the ideas below:
- Become Active – Whether you are moving indoors or outside, exercising can help alleviate symptoms of S.A.D and help you generally feel better. Not only does exercising improve your physical health, it can benefit your mental health, as well. Don’t forget to eat healthy to get the greatest impact.
- Get Outdoors – Natural sunlight is a wonderful mood booster. During the winter months, be sure to do as much as possible outside. Whether it is exercising, sitting in the sun for 15 minutes a day, or just running from place to place accomplishing your to-do list, take in the sunlight.
- Take Advantage of Winter Activities – Winter is the only time of the year for a person to go sledding, skiing, or participate in other winter sports. Classes are available at ski resorts or other sports-associated businesses. Make it a weekend getaway to the mountains with your loved ones and take part in learning a new winter sport together. In addition to the winter sports, don’t forget to make time to go on a sleigh ride at night to see the stars or experience a winter festival.
- Focus on Self-Care – When the evening hours do come, use them to your advantage and fill them with self-care activities. Some examples are soaking in a long bath, drinking your favorite warm concoction, or watching your go-to T.V. show. Whatever your form of self-care is, do it. The extra hours of darkness can be hard, but by focusing on yourself, you are able to destress and put yourself in the correct mindset to carry on.
- Enjoy a Marathon of Movies, T.V. Shows, and Books – Don’t be ashamed of sitting in front of the T.V. for a full Saturday, watching your beloved movies or shows. Winter is a great time to enjoy a movie marathon, because the weather is colder and there isn’t as much to do outside, unlike the other seasons. Also, you can spend time curled up reading a new or classic book. There is nothing better than hunkering down with a blanket, cup of hot chocolate, and a good book.
- Learn Something New – Once the hustle and bustle of the holiday season is over, usually a person’s day becomes quieter and includes more free time. What better time than the winter season to learn a new skill? Now is the time to learn the skill, language or dish that you have been putting off. Once you have learned and practiced your new talent, show it off to your family and friends by hosting a party.
- Reflect – Winter time is a season of renewal. The Winter Solstice marks the rebirth of the sun on the shortest day of the year. Instead of filling the time with activities to get the most out of the winter months, embrace the quietness of winter and reflect. Spend time building a better you, getting to know yourself better, and set goals for the new year. Just like animals hibernate during the winter, you can go into a figurative hibernation yourself to prepare for the upcoming seasons and the best version of you possible.
During winter, the world changes. The days get bluer, colder, and shorter. But these days we should still live and experience all the opportunities that come with them. As we go through another winter season, use these ideas to help you make the most out of the shorter days.
